As one of the largest and most prominent pharmaceutical companies in the world, Johnson & Johnson was bound to be a critical component of the fight against COVID-19. And the company, which Gorsky has led since April 2012, did not disappoint.
At this writing, New Brunswick-based J&J is awaiting emergency use approval from federal authorities for its vaccine. Clinical trials showed the vaccine was effective against the virus, including the new variants now circulating. And it’s been described as a game-changer for the distribution effort.
Unlike the shots developed by Pfizer and Moderna — the only two approved for use in the U.S. as of February — J&J’s version requires only one dose. And it does not need deep refrigeration as the others do, meaning that it does not present the same logistical challenges. Thus, it can be distributed more easily and more widely.
When the state, the nation and the world needed an organization to take a leadership role amid a public health emergency, Gorsky’s company answered the call.
